2020 U.S. Census

IMPORTANCE OF THE 2020 CENSUS

The 2020 Census will count every person living in Monroe County, the United States, and U.S. territories. The census is conducted every 10 years by the U.S. Census Bureau, a nonpartisan government agency. 

The results determine congressional representation and federal funding for states and communities, including Monroe County. Every year, more than $675 billion goes toward hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, housing programs, emergencies and natural disasters from information collected by the census. 

By April 1, 2020, Monroe County households will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census and residents will have three options to respond – online, phone or by mail. Residents are required by law to participate in the 2020 count. All responses are confidential. 

WHY IS THE CENSUS SO IMPORTANT?

• The census determines how many seats Monroe County and Florida has in Congress.   
• The U.S. Constitution requires that electoral districts be periodically adjusted or redrawn to account for population shifts.  
• Recovery organizations like FEMA rely heavily on data collected by the census to help guide recovery efforts and plan for future emergencies.

CENSUS COMPLETION

The 2020 Census counts every person living in the United States – once and in the right place on April 1, 2020. Households will receive an invitation to participate in the Census, then residents can respond online, by phone, or by mail. This is the first-time online responses will be used. If you live in the United States, you are required by law to participate in the official count. The census is mandated by the Constitution and has counted the population every 10 years since 1790.

In previous years, the primary method of responding to the Census was to receive a questionnaire in the mail, complete it and mail it back. For the 2020 Census, the internet is a primary method for households to respond. Mail and phone responses are still accepted.

Sign up for a reminder to take the 2020 Census.

MONROE COUNTY ESTABLISHES A COMPLETE COUNT COORDINATOR

The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution to support the decennial census and establish a Complete Count Coordinator (CCC) to ensure an accurate census count in Monroe County.

In order to support the approaching 2020 census, the County’s CCC will assist the Census Bureau by bringing together Monroe County residents, interest groups and municipalities to provide information and advocacy for the once-a-decade count.

“This Countywide effort will bring awareness with hopes to increase participation in the 2020 Census among Monroe County residents,” said Kimberly Matthews, Sr. Director of Strategic Planning and the County’s CCC, who will be coordinating the local efforts. “A complete and accurate count is critical because the results affect congressional representation, federal funding, community funding opportunities, and more.”

Residents, groups, associations, and organizations - who would like to be involved should contact Matthews at matthews-kimberly@monroecounty-fl.gov to be added future mailings and meetings.

For more information:

Please visit the official 2020 Census website for more information at www.2020census.gov.